Apparatus and method for conforming a label to the contour of a container

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are provided for conforming a label to the contour of a container. The apparatus includes a conveyor configured to move the container along a travel path, a heat source positioned along the conveyor and configured to heat at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path, and a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstream from the heat source. The mechanical pressure applicator is configured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container as the container moves along the travel path. The method includes heating at least a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity, and applying mechanical pressure to at least a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/762,854 filed on Jan. 27, 2006, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

It is well recognized that in certain applications, heat shrink labelsprovide a number of distinct advantages over paper and non-shrinkableplastic labels. For example, if the label or film is to be applied to acontainer or article having a curved, conical, or irregular surfaceunderlying the label, the heat-shrink label can readily be shrunk toconform to the surface anomalies of the container. This conformingcapability, in turn, provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance forthe labeled container.

Prior known methods of closely forming film labels wrapped aroundcontainers utilize exclusively the application of heat impingingdirectly upon the film label causing the label's plastic film structureto shrink until the label closely conforms to the container's contours.Prior known methods and apparatuses utilize mainly heated air, or directinfrared irradiation, to initiate and complete the shrinking process ofthe laminated film labels to the containers. In most applications, thefilm label must be heated to a temperature of at least 470° F in orderto elevate the film's temperature sufficiently so that the film labelwill shrink enough to conform to the contour of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that the illustrated boundaries of elements(e.g., boxes or groups of boxes) in the figures represent one example ofthe boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatone element may be designed as multiple elements or that multipleelements may be designed as one element. An element shown as an internalcomponent of another element may be implemented as an external componentand vice versa.

Further, in the accompanying drawings and description that follow, likeparts are indicated throughout the drawings and description with thesame reference numerals, respectively. The figures are not drawn toscale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated forconvenience of illustration.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of one embodiment of a conveyor system100 for labeling containers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a container 200having an irregular shape.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of one configuration of a labeledcontainer 300 after it exits the labeling apparatus 120.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a label conformingapparatus 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a labeled container C as it travelsalong the container travel path B in front of two of the hot air blowingnozzles 445 of the label conforming apparatus 400.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a labeled container C as it travelsalong the container travel path B through the linear brushes 455 a, b ofthe label conforming apparatus 400.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of one configuration of a finishedcontainer C after it exits the label conforming apparatus 400.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a methodology for conforming alabel to the contour of a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application is directed to an apparatus and method for conforming alabel to the contour of a container. The apparatus and method employ areduced amount of heat in combination with mechanical pressure toconform the label to the contour of the container ensuring a tight fit.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a conveyorsystem 100 for labeling containers. In this embodiment, the conveyorsystem 100 includes an article handling mechanism such as an articlefeeder 110. The article feeder 110 is configured to supply containers ina single file lane along a travel path to a labeling apparatus 120. Thearticle feeder 110 can be, for example, a chain or link conveyor.

Containers that can be used in conveyor system 100 include, withoutlimitation, aerosol containers, paint cans, beverage containers, andother liquid or dry goods containers, and may be constructed from metal,plastic, or glass. Additionally, these containers can take the form of avariety of sizes and shapes. For example, the container can includestraight walls from top to bottom (e.g., a true cylindrical container).Alternatively, the containers can have a more complex or irregularshape.

Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of a containerhaving an irregular shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the container 200includes a cylindrical body 210, a top 220, a bottom 230, and alongitudinal axis A. The container 200 also includes an upper contouredsection 240 that curves toward the longitudinal axis A and serves as atransition between the cylindrical body 210 and the top 220, and a lowercontoured section 250 that curves toward the longitudinal axis A andserves as a transition between the cylindrical body 210 and the bottom230. Of course, it will be appreciated that the container can take theform of a variety of other shapes and sizes.

With reference back to FIG. 1, the labeling apparatus 120 is configuredto apply a label to each container as it passes through the labelingapparatus 120. The film label may be a single layer film label or amulti-layer film label (e.g., a laminate film). Each layer of film maybe constructed from a variety of materials such as polypropylene,polyolefin, polyethylene, polystyrene foam, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the film label is a laminate film label having a baselayer and an overlay layer. One suitable example of a base layer isLabel-Lyte 350 LLG-202 film manufactured by Exxon-Mobil. This film isopaque white in color and made from oriented polypropylene (OPP). Thebase layer is 1.45 mils (37 microns) thick and has a top surface that istreated for printing. One suitable example of an overlay layer isLabel-Lyte 408 LLG-112 film manufactured by Exxon-Mobil. This film isclear and made from biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The overlaylayer is 0.75 mils (19 microns) thick and is pressure-sensitive forlamination over the printed Label-Lyte 350 LLG-202 base layer film.

In one embodiment, the labeling apparatus 120 is a roll-fed labelingapparatus such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,710, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In such anapparatus, a continuous length of film material is provided in the formof a roll. It passes continuously through a cutting station wherepredetermined lengths are severed into individual film labels. Oncesevered, a vacuum on a constantly rotating vacuum drum grips the leadingedge of each film label, and glue (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) is appliedto the leading edge and trailing edge of each label. Alternatively, aglue line may be applied directly to the container such that the leadingedge of each film label is unglued and is adhered to the container bymeans of the glue line on the container, and the trailing edge of eachlabel is provided with glue and laps over the leading edge of the labelon the container to form a seam. After the glue is applied to the filmlabel and/or the container, the film label is wrapped around thecontainer to apply it to the container.

The container can exit the labeling apparatus 120 with the label appliedthereon in various configurations depending on the shape of thecontainer to be labeled and the desired label orientation.

Illustrated in FIG. 3 is a front view of one configuration of a labeledcontainer 300 after it exits the labeling apparatus 120. In thisconfiguration, the labeled container 300 includes the container 200illustrated in FIG. 2 and described above and a label 310 wrapped aroundthe entire cylindrical body 210 of the container 200. The label 310includes an upper edge portion 320 that extends above (e.g., about 3-5mm) the cylindrical body 210 of the container 200, such that it overlaps(but does not contact) the upper contoured section 240 of the container200, while the label 310 includes a lower edge portion 330 that extendsbelow (e.g., about 3-5 mm) the cylindrical body 210 of the container200, such that it overlaps (but does not contact) the lower contouredsection 250 of the container 200. The upper edge portion 320 and thelower edge portion 330 will be hereinafter referred to as “upperdetached edge portion 320” and “lower detached edge portion 330,”respectively, because these edges of the label 310 are not in contactwith the container 200 and stand freely.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the label may be applied tothe container in such a way that it overlaps only one of the contouredsections (e.g., the upper contoured section 240 or the lower contouredsection 250 of the container 200). In another alternative embodiment(not shown), if the container to be labeled has only one contouredsection (i.e., the container departs from a cylindrical shape at onlyone end), then the label may be applied to the container in a mannersuch that it will overlap only the one contoured section. In yet anotherembodiment (not shown), if the container to be labeled does not have anycontoured sections (e.g., a true cylindrical container), then the labelmay be applied only to the straight wall of the container. Althoughseveral configurations of a labeled container have been discussed above,in the following description and in the drawings, it will be assumedthat the containers exit the labeling apparatus 120 in the configurationas illustrated in FIG. 3 and described above. These containers that exitthe labeling apparatus 120 in the configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3and described above will be hereinafter referred to as “labeledcontainers,” “labeled containers C,” or “containers C.”

With reference back to FIG. 1, after the labeled containers exit thelabeling apparatus 120, they are fed to a label conforming apparatus130. The label conforming apparatus 130, which will be discussed infurther detail below, is configured to conform the label to the contourof the container to ensure a tight fit thereof. More specifically, thelabel conforming apparatus 130 is configured to conform the upperdetached edge portion 320 of the label 310 to the upper contouredsection 240 of the labeled container, and the lower detached edgeportion 330 of the label 310 to the lower contoured section 250 of thelabeled container to ensure a tight fit of the label to the container.

After the finished containers exit the label conforming apparatus 130,they can then be advanced to an output station 140. In one embodiment,the output station 140 can include a packager for packaging thecontainers. For example, the containers may be packaged as 2-packs,4-packs, 6-packs, etc. or in boxes. In alternative embodiments (notshown), the output station 140 can include other apparatuses including apalletizer, reject station, quality control checking station, or anycombination thereof.

Illustrated in FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of a labelconforming apparatus 400. As discussed above, the apparatus 400 isconfigured to conform the upper and lower detached edge portions 320,330 of the label 310 to the upper and lower contoured sections 240, 250,respectively, of the labeled container C to ensure a tight fit of thelabel to the labeled container C.

In this embodiment, the apparatus 400 includes an article carrier 405that engages and moves labeled containers C along a travel path,represented by arrow B, in a single lane. The article carrier 405 caninclude, for example, a flat, segmented tabletop chain conveyor. Inalternative embodiments (not shown), other types of article carriers maybe used instead of a flat, segmented tabletop chain conveyor such as anendless belt conveyor, an air conveyor or a roller conveyor.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the label conforming apparatus 400includes a rotation mechanism configured to rotate each labeledcontainer C about its longitudinal axis A. In the illustratedembodiment, the rotation mechanism includes a movable belt 410positioned along a first edge 415 of the article carrier 405 and acompression plate 420 positioned along the second edge 425 of thearticle carrier 405 opposite the movable belt 410. As shown in FIG. 4,the movable belt 410 is a vertically oriented, endless belt that travelsabout two spaced-apart rotatable drums 430, each of which rotates aboutan axis of rotation R that is oriented at an angle perpendicular to thearticle carrier 405. A motor 435 or other driving mechanism can drivethe movable belt 410.

The movable belt 410 and the compression plate 420 work in conjunctionwith each other to cause each labeled container C to rotate about itslongitudinal axis A as it moves along the container travel path B.Individually, the movable belt 410 is configured to travel in the samedirection as the container travel path B. However, in combination, themovable belt 410 and the compression plate 420 together cause eachlabeled container C to rotate about its longitudinal axis A in acounterclockwise direction as represented by arrow D. More specifically,as the labeled containers C travel through the apparatus 400, themovable belt 410 engages the labeled containers C and presses themagainst the compression plate 420. The combination of forces acting uponeach labeled container C (i.e., the force caused by the movable belt 410and the force imparted by the compression plate 420) causes each labeledcontainer C to rotate about its longitudinal axis A in thecounterclockwise direction D. Of course, it will be appreciated that ifthe direction of the container travel path B was the opposite direction,then the labeled containers C would rotation in a clockwise direction.

Although the rotation mechanism discussed above includes a movable beltin combination with an opposing compression plate, it will beappreciated that any conventional rotation mechanism may be employed torotate each labeled container C as it moves along the container travelpath B. By way of example, an alternative rotation mechanism may includethe same movable belt discussed above, but instead of being used incombination with an opposing compression plate, it can be used incombination with an opposing movable belt traveling in an oppositedirection.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the label conforming apparatus 400also includes one or more heat sources configured to heat the label 310on the labeled container C to a sufficient temperature to achieve asufficient degree of plasticity to render the label pliable. Morespecifically, the apparatus 400 includes one or more heat sourcesconfigured to heat the upper and lower detached edge portions 320, 330of the label 310 to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficientdegree of plasticity to render the label pliable.

In one embodiment, the sufficient temperature to achieve plasticity ofthe label 310 is between the range of about 95° F. and about 165° F.This temperature range is significantly below the temperatures requiredin conventional heat shrinking processes, which require heated air inexcess of 470° F. to be impinged upon the label in order to shrink thelabel to conform to the contour of the container.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heat sources include four hot airblowers 440 a-d positioned along the second edge 425 of the articlecarrier 405. To direct and focus the heated air along a certain airpath, nozzles 445 a-d are connected to the hot air blowers 440 a-d,respectively, and positioned adjacent to the compression plate 420 alongthe second edge 425 of the article carrier 405. In this embodiment, eachnozzle 445 has a substantially rectangular exit opening that directs theheated air along a substantially rectangular path. In alternativeembodiments (not shown), one or more of the nozzles can have an exitopening with a different shape.

The hot air blowers discussed above can be an integrated unit (e.g., aheater and blower packaged together in one unit) or a combination of twoseparate components (e.g., a heater and a blower that can be marriedtogether at the time of installation). One suitable example of aseparate heater is a Hot Air Tool 5000 heater manufactured by LeisterProcess Technologies, Sarnan, Switzerland, which is rated at 8,000 wattsand is capable of achieving a maximum temperature of 700° C. Onesuitable example of a separate blower is a medium pressure blower suchas the Leister ASO blower manufactured by Leister Process Technologies,Sarnan, Switzerland, which has a pressure rated at 2400 Pascals and iscapable of achieving a delivery volume of 15,900 1/min. Of course, othertypes of hot air blowers can be used. Additionally, other types ofheaters can be used instead of hot air blowers such as direct infraredheaters or steam heaters.

Illustrated in FIG. 5 is a view of a labeled container C as it travelsalong the container travel path B in front of two of the hot air blowingnozzles 445 of the label conforming apparatus 400. As shown in FIG. 5,the nozzles 445 a-d are arranged in two side-by-side pairs adjacent tothe compression plate 420. Specifically, one of the two pairs of nozzles(i.e., nozzles 445 a,b) is positioned above the compression plate 420 tofocus the heated air at the upper detached edge portion 320 of thelabeled container C, while the other pair of nozzles (i.e., nozzles 445c,d) is positioned below the compression plate 420 to focus the heatedair at the lower detached edge portion 330 of the labeled container C.In the illustrated embodiment, the two pairs of nozzles 445 arestaggered or offset from each other, such that they are not verticallyaligned. For example, the nozzle 445 a is not vertically aligned withthe nozzle 445 c. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the twopairs of nozzles 445 can be vertically aligned. In other embodiments(not shown), one or both pairs of side-by-side nozzles can be replacedwith a single nozzle that has substantially the same length as the twoside-by-side nozzles. Alternatively, three or more side-by-side nozzlescan be used above or below the compression plate 420.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the distance between the furthestupstream end of the lower nozzle (i.e., nozzle 445 c) and the furthestdownstream end of the upper nozzle (i.e., nozzle 445 b) is defined as aheating zone 450. Thus, as the labeled containers C enter the heatingzone 450 of the label conforming apparatus 400, heating of the upper andlower detached edges 320, 330 of the labeled containers C is initiated.Once the labeled containers C complete their travel through the heatingzone 450, the upper and lower detached edges 320, 330 of the labeledcontainers C should be heated to the temperature range of between about95° F. and about 165° F.

In one embodiment, each labeled container C is rotated three times viathe rotation mechanism during its travel through the heating zone 450 ofthe label conforming apparatus 400 in order to heat the upper and lowerdetached edge 320, 330 of the label 310 to the sufficient temperature.However, in alternative embodiments, the label conforming apparatus 400can be configured to rotate each labeled container C less than threetimes or more than three times as it travels through the labelconforming apparatus 400. To accomplish this, the length of the heatingzone 450 (e.g., the length and/or spacing of the hot air blowing nozzles445 a-d) can be adjusted and/or the speed of the movable belt 410 can bevaried.

With reference back to FIG. 4, the label conforming apparatus 400further includes a mechanical force applicator positioned along thesecond edge 425 of the article carrier 405 downstream from the heatingzone 450. The mechanical force applicator is configured to applymechanical pressure to the heated label to force it to conform to thecontour of the labeled container C. More specifically, the mechanicalforce applicator is configured to apply mechanical pressure to the upperand lower detached edge portions 320, 330 of the heated label 310 toconform these edges to the upper and lower contoured sections, 240, 250,respectively, of the container C. In the illustrated embodiment, themechanical force applicator includes two linear brushes—an upper linearbrush 455 a and a lower linear brush 455 b (not shown in FIG. 4) thatare utilized to apply mechanical forces to the upper and lower detachededge portions 320, 330 of the heated label 310.

In one embodiment, the primary bristles of the linear brushes arehorsehair, which are captured and held in a rigid supporting metallicstructure. One suitable example of a linear horsehair brush is suppliedby McMaster-Carr Corporation. This linear horsehair brush includeshorsehair bristles that are 0.008 inches in diameter and 1.0 inch inlength, which are captured in a stainless steel base that is 5/16 inchesthick at the base and one foot in length. In alternative embodiments,the linear brushes may be replaced with one or more linear pads madefrom a sufficiently compliant material that is capable of applying thenecessary pressure to force the upper and lower detached edges of thelabel against the container such that it conforms to the contour of thecontainer. Exemplary materials include, without limitation, foam (closedcell or open cell), felt, carpet strips, coarse fibers, and the like.Generally, any material may be used so long as it has a sufficientamount of compliance necessary to conform the detached edges of thelabel to the contoured sections of the container and has the ability towithstand temperatures of at least 100° F. In other alternativeembodiments, the linear brushes may be replaced with one or more rotarybrushes (e.g., foam roller covers) that can have an outer profile thatmatches the contour of the curved section of the container.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a view of a labeled container C as it travelsalong the container travel path B through the linear brushes 455 a,b ofthe label conforming apparatus 400. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper linearbrush 455 a is positioned above the compression plate 420 and configuredto apply sufficient pressure to the heated upper detached edge portion320 of the label 310 to conform it to the upper contoured section 240 ofthe container C resulting in a tight fit. Similarly, the lower linearbrush 455 b is positioned below the compression plate 420 and configuredto apply sufficient pressure to the heated lower detached edge portion330 of the label 310 to conform it to the upper contoured section 250 ofthe container C resulting in a tight fit. As shown in FIG. 6, the upperand lower linear brushes 455 a,b are vertically aligned with each other.In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the upper and lower linearbrushes 455 a,b may be staggered or offset from each other.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the distance between the upstreamand downstream ends of the upper and lower linear brushes 455 a,b isdefined as a mechanical pressure applying zone 460. Thus, as the labeledcontainer C enters the mechanical pressure applying zone 460 of thelabel conforming apparatus 400, the upper and lower linear brushes 455a,b begin to apply pressure to the heated upper and lower detached edgeportions 320, 330, respectively, to conform these edges to the upper andlower contoured sections 240, 250, respectively, of the container C.Once the labeled container C completes its travel through the mechanicalpressure applying zone 460, the upper and lower detached edge portions320, 330 of the labeled container C are conformed to the upper and lowercontoured sections 240, 250, respectively, of the container C as shownin FIG. 7.

In one embodiment, each labeled container C is rotated one and one halftimes via the rotation mechanism as it travels through the mechanicalpressure applying zone 460 of the label conforming apparatus 400 inorder to conform the heated upper and lower detached edge 320, 330 ofthe label 310 to the upper and lower contoured sections 240, 250,respectively, of the container C. However, in alternative embodiments,the label conforming apparatus 400 can be configured to rotate eachcontainer less than one and one half times or more than one and one halftimes while it travels through the mechanical pressure applying zone 460of the label conforming apparatus 400. To accomplish this, the length ofthe mechanical pressure applying zone 460 (e.g., the length of thelinear brushes 455 a,b) can be adjusted and/or the speed of the movablebelt 410 can be varied.

After the mechanical pressure is applied to the upper and lower detachededges of the label to conform them to the upper and lower contouredsections of the container, the finished containers enter a continuousconveyor (not shown) of sufficient length to provide an ample amount ofambient cooling before being subjected to subsequent processes. Forexample, the total length of the continuous conveyor can be 200 linearfeet to provide at least two minutes of ambient cooling. Of course, thelength and/or the operation speed of the conveyor can be adjusted toprovide more or less ambient cooling. Furthermore, it will beappreciated that the finished containers may be cooled by anothercooling process such as an active cooling process.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the heat sources and mechanicalforce applicators discussed above may be directed at only one portion ofthe labeled container. For example, if the labeled container only hasone contoured section, then the label conforming apparatus may includeone or more heat sources and one or more mechanical force applicatorsdirected to the lone contoured section. In another example, the labelconforming apparatus may include one or more heat sources and one ormore mechanical force applicators directed to one or more portions ofthe labeled container even though the labeled container lacks a detachededge. In this case, the application of heat and mechanical force to thelabeled container assists in providing a tight fit of the label to thecontainer.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a labeled container may stillbe used in the apparatus 400 discussed above even though it lacks adetached edge. If this is the case, the application of heat andmechanical force to the upper and lower portions of the containerassists in providing a tighter fit of the label to the container.

Illustrated in FIG. 8 is one embodiment of a methodology associated withconforming a label to the contour of a container. The illustratedelements denote “processing blocks” and represent functions and/oractions taken for conforming a label to the contour of a container. Inone embodiment, the processing blocks may represent computer softwareinstructions or groups of instructions that cause a computer orprocessor to perform an action(s) and/or to make decisions that controlanother device or machine to perform the processing. It will beappreciated that the methodology may involve dynamic and flexibleprocesses such that the illustrated blocks can be performed in othersequences different than the one shown and/or blocks may be combined or,separated into multiple components. The foregoing applies to allmethodologies described herein.

With reference to FIG. 8, the process 800 involves a process forconforming a label to the contour of a container. The process 400includes heating the label or portions thereof (e.g., the detached edgeportions 320, 330 of the label 310 discussed above) to a sufficienttemperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity to render thelabel pliable (block 805). In one embodiment, the label or portionsthereof are heated to a temperature between about 95° F. and about 165°F. After the label or portions thereof are heated to the sufficienttemperature, the process further includes applying mechanical pressureto the label or portions thereof (e.g., the detached edge portions 320,330 of the label 310 discussed above) to conform the label or portionsthereof to the contour of the container (e.g., the upper and lowercontoured sections 240, 250 of the container C discussed above) (block810).

The label conforming apparatus 400 and methodology 800 described abovehave several potential advantages. One advantage is that it caneliminate defects in the labeling process (which includes label applyingand conforming) due to overheating such as distortion or wrinkling. Asecond potential advantage is that a broader range of label materialsmay be employed (e.g., thinner film labels) since the dependence uponthe shrinkage characteristics of film label materials is reduced. Athird potential advantage is that many of the critical closelycontrolled process requirements of the known prior methods, such asprecisely heated air temperature process control and dynamic dwelltiming control, can be eliminated. The reduction of these criticalprocess control factors allows for an improvement in both the subjectiveappearance and quality of the finished labeled containers, as well asproviding the opportunity for improved process yields and efficiencies.A fourth potential advantage is that there is a significant advantage interms of reduced energy consumption due to the reduced label-heatingrequirement. A final potential advantage is that current heat shrinkingequipment can be retrofitted to accommodate the process described above.For example, existing hot air blowers can be utilized without the needto update or change controllers. However, the hot air blowers can beoperated at reduced power (e.g., twenty percent (20%) of their maximumoutput rating), thereby reducing energy consumption as discussed above.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in thespecification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a mannersimilar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted whenemployed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extentthat the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “Aor B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B butnot both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed.Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not theexclusive use. See, Bryan A. Gamer, A Dictionary of Modem Legal Usage624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into”are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended toadditionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term“connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to meannot only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to”such as connected through another component or multiple components.

While the present application illustrates various embodiments, and whilethese embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not theintention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope ofthe claimed invention to such detail. Additional advantages andmodifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to thespecific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrativeexamples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made fromsuch details without departing from the spirit or scope of theapplicant's claimed invention.

1. A method of conforming a detached edge portion of a label to acontoured section of a container, the method comprising: heating atleast the detached edge portion of the label to a sufficient temperatureto achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity; and applying mechanicalpressure to at least the heated detached edge portion of the label toconform it to the contoured section of the container.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the sufficient temperature is between about 95° F. andabout 165° F.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating stepincludes: rotating the container about its longitudinal axis in front ofa stationary heat source.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the applyingstep includes: rotating the container about its longitudinal axis infront of a stationary mechanical pressure applicator.
 5. An apparatusfor conforming a detached edge portion of a label to a contoured sectionof a container, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor configured to movethe container along a travel path, a heat source positioned along theconveyor, the heat source configured to heat at least the detached edgeportion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve a sufficientdegree of plasticity as the container moves along the travel path; amechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyor downstreamfrom the heat source, the mechanical pressure applicator configured toapply pressure to at least the heated detached edge portion of the labelto conform it to the contoured section of the container as the containermoves along the travel path.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, furthercomprising: a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the container asit passes in front of the heat source and the mechanical pressureapplicator.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the conveyor includes aflat, segmented chain conveyor having a first edge and a second edgeopposite the first edge.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the heatsource includes at least one hot air blower connected to a nozzlepositioned along the second edge of the conveyor, the nozzle configuredto focus the heat on the detached edge portions of the label.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the mechanical pressure applicatorincludes at least one linear brush positioned along the second edge ofthe conveyor.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rotationmechanism includes a vertically oriented belt positioned along the firstedge of the conveyor and a compression plate positioned along the secondedge of the conveyor, the belt configured to move in the same directionas the travel path of the container.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the belt is positioned a sufficient distance away from thecompression plate such that the belt is capable of engaging thecontainer as it travels along the travel path and pressing it againstthe compression plate, thereby causing the container to rotate about itslongitudinal axis.
 12. A method of conforming upper and lower detachededge portions of a label to upper and lower contoured sections of acontainer, respectively, the method comprising: heating at least theupper and lower detached edge portions of the label to a sufficienttemperature to achieve a sufficient degree of plasticity; and applyingmechanical pressure to at least the heated upper and lower detached edgeportions of the label to conform them to the upper and lower contouredsections of the container, respectively.
 13. A method of conforming alabel to the contour of a container, the method comprising: heating atleast a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve asufficient degree of plasticity; and applying mechanical pressure to atleast a portion of the heated label to conform it to the contour of thecontainer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sufficienttemperature is between about 95° F. and about 165° F.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the heating step includes: rotating the containerabout its longitudinal axis in front of a stationary heat source. 16.The method of claim 13, wherein the applying step includes: rotating thecontainer about its longitudinal axis in front of a stationarymechanical pressure applicator.
 17. An apparatus for conforming a labelto the contour of a container, the apparatus comprising: a conveyorconfigured to move the container along a travel path, a heat sourcepositioned along the conveyor, the heat source configured to heat atleast a portion of the label to a sufficient temperature to achieve asufficient degree of plasticity as the container moves along the travelpath; a mechanical pressure applicator positioned along the conveyordownstream from the heat source, the mechanical pressure applicatorconfigured to apply pressure to at least a portion of the heated labelto conform it to the contour of the container as the container movesalong the travel path.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, furthercomprising: a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the container asit passes in front of the heat source and the mechanical pressureapplicator.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the conveyor includesa flat, segmented chain conveyor having a first edge and a second edgeopposite the first edge.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the heatsource includes at least one hot air blower connected to a nozzlepositioned along the second edge of the conveyor, the nozzle configuredto focus the heat on the label.